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=== DISKTRAK ===
Version 6.10
+---------------------------------------------------------------------+
| +-----------------------------------------------------------------+ |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | DISKTRAK Version 6.10 | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | A Utility for Managing Diskettes | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| +-----------------------------------------------------------------+ |
+---------------------------------------------------------------------+
Peninsula Software - 28510 Blythewood Dr. - Palos Verdes, CA - 90274
Page 1
=== DISKTRAK ===
Version 6.10
Table of Contents
-----------------
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Installation . . . . . . . . . . . 4
System Requirements, Compatibility 4
Using the Menus and Windows . . . . 5
Main Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
ACTION -- View Data . . . . . . . . 6
ACTION -- Report to Print . . . . . 7
ACTION -- Report to Screen . . . . 7
ACTION -- Report to File . . . . . 7
ACTION -- Restore Files . . . . . . 7
ACTION -- DOS Shell . . . . . . . . 8
ACTION -- Exit . . . . . . . . . . 8
UPDATE -- Add/Update Disk(s) . . . 9
UPDATE -- Add/Edit Comment . . . . 9
UPDATE -- Delete Disk(s) . . . . . 10
UPDATE -- Delete File(s) . . . . . 11
UPDATE -- Label Disk . . . . . . . 12
SEARCH -- Filename . . . . . . . . 12
SEARCH -- Diskname . . . . . . . . 12
SEARCH -- Comment . . . . . . . . . 13
UTILITIES -- Compress Data . . . . 13
UTILITIES -- Expand Data . . . . . 13
UTILITIES -- Make a Database . . . 14
UTILITIES -- Switch Databases . . . 14
UTILITIES -- Sort Disknames . . . . 14
UTILITIES -- Show Free Space . . . 15
CONFIGURATION -- Screen Colors . . 15
CONFIGURATION -- Background Char. . 15
CONFIGURATION -- Data Disk Drive . 16
CONFIGURATION -- ZIP Filenames . . 16
CONFIGURATION -- Print Lines/Page . 16
CONFIGURATION -- Report Type . . . 17
CONFIGURATION -- Config. Save . . . 17
Future Enhancements . . . . . . . . 17
The DISKTRAK Database . . . . . . . 18
Update Summary . . . . . . . . . . 19
Peninsula Software - 28510 Blythewood Dr. - Palos Verdes, CA - 90274
Page 2
=== DISKTRAK ===
Version 6.10
Introduction
------------
DISKTRAK was designed to provide a "quick and easy" method for keeping
track of diskette files. DISKTRAK will allow you to easily create a
database that contains a list of all your diskettes and the files on each
one. Optionally, you can include a comment or description for each file on
each diskette. Also, you can optionally have DISKTRAK extract the names of
files stored inside a "ZIP", "PAK", "ARC", and "LZH" archive file. Then,
anytime you want to locate the disk containing a particular file, simply
enter the filename into DISKTRAK and it will tell you the disk (or disks,
if there are more than one) that holds the file you're looking for. If you
don't know the complete name of the file, key in as much of it as you do
know and DISKTRAK will search its database for all disks containing any
file that has the partial name you entered embedded in it. DISKTRAK
supports this same database search capability for disk names and file
comments as well.
DISKTRAK also has other useful disk and file related capabilities: it can
label diskettes, delete and/or restore any set of files in its database,
and produce hard and/or soft copy reports of its database contents.
Finally, DISKTRAK supports several "usability" functions such as screen
color and background character customization, database maintenance, and DOS
Shell functionality.
Creating and maintaining the DISKTRAK database is easy. Simply "feed"
your diskettes to DISKTRAK and it will read the directories and sub-
directories on each one, extracting all filenames (including hidden and
system files) and automatically update its database. If you add or delete
files on a diskette, simply "re-feed" it into DISKTRAK; the database will
be automatically updated.
DISKTRAK is completely menu driven and was designed for easy, intuitive
use. Hopefully you will find DISKTRAK not only easy to use, but also
useful. DISKTRAK is being distributed as "shareware", meaning it is
allowed to be freely copied and distributed, but if used on a regular
basis, should be paid for. If you continue to use DISKTRAK you are
obligated to send its registration fee ($15.00) to Peninsula Software.
Doing so will allow Peninsula Software to continue further enhancements to
DISKTRAK (many features in the current version were suggested by registered
users) and to develop other low cost software products.
The following sections describe how to install DISKTRAK and how to use
DISKTRAK's menus and windows. After that is a description of each menu
selection. Finally, there is a brief discussion of the DISKTRAK database
and a summary of the changes made to DISKTRAK since version 4.5.
Peninsula Software - 28510 Blythewood Dr. - Palos Verdes, CA - 90274
Page 3
=== DISKTRAK ===
Version 6.10
Installation
------------
DISKTRAK is very easy to install. Simply copy the files DISKTRAK.EXE and
SAMPLE.DTK to the disk and directory from which you wish to run. Then,
make this directory the default directory and enter the command DISKTRAK.
DISKTRAK will start; it will use the file SAMPLE.DTK as a "demonstration"
database. You can use this database to try out all of the DISKTRAK
functions, including making updates and deletes, before you create your own
database. Later, when you're familiar with how DISKTRAK works, create your
own database, verify that it works O.K., and delete SAMPLE.DTK. (Note --
when you do this BE SURE to first create a DISKTRAK configuration file
identifying your database as the one DISKTRAK should use. See the section
"Config. Save" below for details on how to do this.)
DISKTRAK was designed for a system with a hard disk. If you have a hard
disk it is recommended that you put DISKTRAK.EXE and SAMPLE.DTK in your
"utility" subdirectory. Then, after making this the default directory,
simply enter the command "DISKTRAK". If you do not have a hard disk you
will need two diskette drives to use DISKTRAK. In this case you should put
DISKTRAK.EXE and SAMPLE.DTK on a diskette in Drive B: and make this the
default drive. Do not put DISKTRAK in Drive A: because DISKTRAK assumes
Drive A: will be used to read diskette files into its own database. (You
can change this if you wish -- see the Configuration section below.) If
you have a large enough RAMDISK you can copy the DISKTRAK database there
and make it (the RAMDISK) the default directory. However, if you choose to
do this, be certain to copy your RAMDISK database to a real disk after any
DISKTRAK session in which you make database updates or changes.
System Requirements, Compatibility, and Limitations
---------------------------------------------------
DISKTRAK requires DOS 3.0 or higher. DOS 3.3 is recommended. DISKTRAK
will not work properly with DOS versions prior to 3.0 because they do not
support some of DISKTRAK's functions, such as disk labeling or DOS Shell.
This version of DISKTRAK is incompatible with the database formats from
versions 4.00 or earlier (smaller version numbers). DO NOT attempt to use
this version of DISKTRAK with a database created by version 4.00 or any
earlier version of the program. Instead, first create a new database using
this version and then feed your floppy disks into this new database. This
incompatibility is a result of changing the internal database pointers to
allow databases of unlimited size (databases in earlier versions were
limited to 32K bytes in size.)
DISKTRAK is written using the Microsoft QuickBasic (r) compiler and there-
fore must maintain all information being processed in conventional RAM
memory. This places a limit on the maximum number of diskettes DISKTRAK
can handle in any one database. (Actually, the limiting factor is the
total number of filenames in the database.) Some users have reported that
DISKTRAK will not handle more than about 250 -- 300 disks, whereas others
Peninsula Software - 28510 Blythewood Dr. - Palos Verdes, CA - 90274
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=== DISKTRAK ===
Version 6.10
have had success with 500 or more disks. If you receive error messages
indicating insufficient memory you should split your diskettes up into two
(or more) DISKTRAK databases. Finally, DISKTRAK is limited to not more
than 30 different database files and a maximum of 900 files per diskette
directory (not including filenames found inside ZIP files.)
Using the Menus and Windows
---------------------------
DISKTRAK's menus and windows are all of the "point-and-shoot" variety.
This means that you make the choice you want by first selecting it and then
telling DISKTRAK to proceed. This is done in one of two ways: use the
arrow and Home/End keys to move the highlighted menu selection bar to the
desired option and then press "Enter", or simply type the single letter
(upper or lower case are considered the same) in each selection's name that
is highlighted. In this case the "Enter" key is not needed; the selection
is made as soon as you type the highlighted letter.
Some windows have no selections with highlighted letters. These are
windows in which selections are to be made, but there is no way for
DISKTRAK to be able to establish unique selection letters for highlighting,
or they are windows in which multiple selections are to be made and it is
not possible to guarantee unique selection letters. In these windows you
select the desired item by using the arrow and Home/End keys to position
the highlight bar, then press the "Enter" key to invoke the selected
function using your selected item. When multiple selections are to be made
(for instance, when selecting files to be restored) you position the
highlight bar over an item to be selected and press the space bar. The
selected item itself will be both highlighted and indicated by surrounding
arrow points, and the highlight bar will move to the next item. You can
de-select items by positioning the highlight bar over a previously selected
item and pressing the space bar. When you are finished selecting and/or
de-selecting items, press the "Enter" key to tell DISKTRAK to continue the
selected function on all of the selected (and highlighted) items.
In all of the menus and windows the "Home" key moves the selection bar to
the first entry, and the "End" key moves it to the last entry. If there
are more items than can be shown in the window and one time, use the "Page
Up" and "Page Down" keys to scroll back/forward through the entire set of
items. At any time the "Esc" key will immediately exit the current window
and return you to the next higher window or menu without invoking any
selection.
DISKTRAK will not let you make an invalid selection, and will query you for
confirmation in those instances where a major change in your database will
occur (like deleting disks.)
Peninsula Software - 28510 Blythewood Dr. - Palos Verdes, CA - 90274
Page 5
=== DISKTRAK ===
Version 6.10
Main Menu
---------
DISKTRAK's Main Menu command line is always displayed at the top of the
screen, allowing you to select one of five possible options: ACTION,
UPDATE, SEARCH, UTILITIES, and CONFIGURATION. The command line also
displays a continuously running digital clock and the current version
number of the DISKTRAK program. The Main Menu screen also displays a
window with information about the current DISKTRAK database.
When DISKTRAK starts, ACTION is automatically selected by default. Each
Main Menu option has several sub-options. You can view these by pressing
"Enter" when the Main Menu appears, and then moving the Main Menu high-
light left or right by using the arrow keys. DISKTRAK will not perform any
sub-option until you specifically select one. Do this by (1) highlighting
it by use of the up/down arrow keys and pressing "Enter", or (2) typing the
highlighted letter (lower case is O.K.) in the desired sub-option.
The following diagram shows the Main Menu command line and each set of sub-
options.
ACTION UPDATE SEARCH UTILITIES CONFIGURATION
View Data Add/Update Disk Filename Compress Data Screen Colors
Print Rpt Add/Edit Comment Diskname Expand Data Background Char.
Screen Rpt Delete Disk(s) Comment Make a Database Data Disk Drive
File Rpt Delete File(s) Switch Database ZIP Filenames
Restore Files Label Disk Sort Disknames Print Lines/Page
Exit Show Free Space Report Type
Config. Save
In addition to the Main Menu, the Main Menu screen has a window showing
information about the current DISKTRAK database. This window is labeled
"Database Data" and shows the name of the current Database, the maximum
number of diskettes it can hold, the number of diskettes currently in it,
the amount (in terms of overall percent) of free space in the database, the
total size (in K-bytes) of the Database, and the diskette drive DISKTRAK
will use for reading disks. The section headed DISKTRAK Database has more
information about the database contents.
ACTION -- View Data
-------------------
Selecting this option causes DISKTRAK to display a window listing all of
the disks in the current database. To see the names of the files on any
particular disk, simply select the disk and DISKTRAK will display a second
window containing the filenames for the selected disk. You can scroll
through the filenames using the Up/Down, PgUp/PgDn, and Home/End keys.
Filenames for which you have added comments have the symbol "<C>" after
Peninsula Software - 28510 Blythewood Dr. - Palos Verdes, CA - 90274
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=== DISKTRAK ===
Version 6.10
their names. (See the UPDATE Add/Edit Comments section for how to create
comments.) Selecting a filename with a comment will cause its comment to
display in a window at the bottom of the screen. Selecting a file with no
comment has no effect. To erase the filename window and return to the
Disks window, simply press "Esc." From there you can select another disk
to examine, or press Esc to return to the main menu.
ACTION -- Report to Print
-------------------------
This option causes DISKTRAK to send its report directly to your printer.
DISKTRAK can produce any of three types of reports (see CONFIGURATION --
Report Type option below for details) summarizing its database contents.
When you make this selection, DISKTRAK will first show a message indicating
how many filenames are being sorted, and then will display a message
telling you the report is being printed. DISKTRAK returns to the main menu
when the printout is finished.
ACTION -- Report to Screen
--------------------------
This option is like the previous one, except the report is presented on the
screen instead of being printed. The report is formatted into screen
images of 25 lines, so there will be more screen pages than printed pages.
Pressing any key except ESCape will present the next page of the report on
the screen. Pressing the ESCape key will abort the screen report and
return you to the main menu screen. This option creates no printed or disk
file output.
ACTION -- Report to File
------------------------
This option "prints" the report to a disk file named DISKTRAK.RPT that is
created in the default directory. The format of the report file is as
specified in the CONFIGURATION -- Report Type option below. This option
is provided to allow you to create the report output and view it with some
utility text viewing program (or the DOS "TYPE" command), and then decide
if you want to print it by copying the file DISKTRAK.RPT to a printer.
This option creates no printer or screen output.
ACTION -- Restore Files
-----------------------
This option allows you to select a set of files from the DISKTRAK database
and have them copied from their respective diskettes to a hard disk
directory you specify. This function is typically called "restoring".
When you select this option, DISKTRAK first asks you to enter the full path
Peninsula Software - 28510 Blythewood Dr. - Palos Verdes, CA - 90274
Page 7
=== DISKTRAK ===
Version 6.10
name (such as C:\WORDPROC) specifying where it should restore files.
DISKTRAK first verifies the path you entered exists, then displays a
message telling you it is sorting all of the filenames in the current
database and, when the sort is complete, opens a window showing a 3-column
list of all filenames and the diskettes containing them. You are prompted
to select files for restoring; do this by moving the highlight bar to the
desired filename and pressing the space bar to select it. A selected file
can be de-selected in the same way. When finished selecting files, press
the Enter key. DISKTRAK will then ask you to insert the required
diskette(s), copy the appropriate files to the path you specified, and
return to the main menu with a message telling how many files were
successfully restored. DISKTRAK displays a message identifying each
filename and its target directory as it is copied.
Note: Because DISKTRAK does not store directory (or subdirectory)
information in its database it will be unable to restore files contained in
diskette directories other than the root. DISKTRAK will indicate "File not
found" in these cases.
ACTION -- DOS Shell
-------------------
Selecting this option causes DISKTRAK to start a "child" DOS shell. This
means DISKTRAK will appear to end and return control to DOS. In fact,
DISKTRAK is still active (in your computer's memory), but has invoked the
DOS command processor allowing you to issue any command you would when
running under DOS alone. From the DOS shell you can copy files, initialize
disks, invoke other programs, etc. However, you MUST remember to return to
DISKTRAK by entering the command "Exit" when you have finished with your
DOS functions. Also, since DISKTRAK is still in memory when the DOS shell
is active, you will have significantly less memory available for programs
than when running DOS directly.
Note: when in the DOS shell, do not move, rename, or otherwise disturb the
DISKTRAK database or configuration file. Changes made to these files while
in the DOS shell would be unknown to DISKTRAK, and unpredictable (probably
bad) results would occur when DISKTRAK resumes.
ACTION -- Exit
--------------
Selecting this option ends DISKTRAK and returns you to DOS. As the closing
screen indicates, if you use DISKTRAK on a regular basis you are obligated
to send the registration fee to Peninsula Software.
Peninsula Software - 28510 Blythewood Dr. - Palos Verdes, CA - 90274
Page 8
=== DISKTRAK ===
Version 6.10
UPDATE -- Add/Update Disk(s)
----------------------------
Selecting this option allows you to enter a diskette into the DISKTRAK
database. The diskette you enter can be either a new diskette, i. e., one
not currently in the database, or a "refresh" of a diskette currently in
the database. After selecting this option DISKTRAK will ask you to insert
the diskette into the Data Disk Drive and press Enter when ready. DISKTRAK
will then attempt to read the diskette's internal label (sometimes called
the volume ID.) If there is no internal label, DISKTRAK will ask you to
enter one. This label will be used by DISKTRAK to identify the diskette in
its database and will also be automatically written onto the diskette.
(See the UPDATE -- Label Disk section below for details on the labeling
process.) DISKTRAK will then check to see if the diskette is already
contained in the database. If not, DISKTRAK will read all the filenames on
the disk (including hidden and system files and files in directories and/or
subdirectories, if any) and enter them into the database. If you specified
the "ZIP" option to be enabled, DISKTRAK will also extract all filenames
from inside archive files of type ZIP, PAK, ARC, or LZH. If the diskette
is in the DISKTRAK database you will be asked if you want to proceed and
"refresh" the database information. Normally you will want to do this,
because (presumably) you have added or deleted files from the diskette, and
you want its current status reflected in the DISKTRAK database. However,
if you have inadvertently created two different diskettes with the same
name, you can abort the Add/Update function at this time, relabel the
diskette, and proceed again.
Note that DISKTRAK will process only normally formatted DOS diskettes.
DISKTRAK will reject an unformatted diskette, or a diskette with a non-
standard format, such as those created by some hard disk backup programs.
Also, note that DISKTRAK stores in its database only the diskette name and
filenames for each diskette. It does NOT store any directory (or
subdirectory) names; it does store only the filename contained in these
directories (or subdirectories.) Consequently, if a file is contained in a
directory other than the root directory, DISKTRAK will identify it only as
being on the diskette, and not in a particular directory or subdirectory.
UPDATE -- Add/Edit Comment
--------------------------
Use this option to enter a comment for a filename that does not yet have
one, or to update an existing comment. Files with comments have the symbol
"<C>" (without the quotes) following their names in the Files window. To
add/update a comment, select the desired file in the Files window and press
"Enter". A window will appear at the bottom of the screen and query you to
enter a new comment or update an existing one, depending on whether or not
the selected file has the "<C>" symbol. New comments can be up to 63
characters long; to create one simply enter the text and press "Enter" when
finished. After entering the comment the "<C>" symbol will appear after
the file name and the filename highlight bar will move to the next file in
Peninsula Software - 28510 Blythewood Dr. - Palos Verdes, CA - 90274
Page 9
=== DISKTRAK ===
Version 6.10
the Files window. You can enter a comment for this file, or select a
different one. When you have finished entering comments, press "Esc" and
DISKTRAK will return you to the Disks selection window. Continue to select
disks/files until all comments have been entered. Press "Esc" from the
Disks window to return to the main menu.
If the file you select already has a comment (i. e., the "<C>" symbol
appears after its name in the Files window) you can edit the comment by
simply pressing "Enter." DISKTRAK will display a window at the bottom of
the screen and request you to edit the existing comment. You can use the
"Ins" toggle, Backspace, Home, End, and arrow keys when editing a comment.
Also, the Ctrl+arrow key combination moves the cursor one word left or
right.
If you select a file with a comment by mistake, pressing "Esc" at the
comment edit window will return you to the Files window with no effect on
the existing comment.
UPDATE -- Delete Disk(s)
------------------------
This option is provided to allow you to delete one or more diskettes from
the current database. You would want to do this if, for instance, you
decided to re-use a diskette for a different purpose and had given it a new
internal label and a new set of files. Note that if you keep the same
internal diskette name (volume label) and merely replace all the files on
it there is no need to delete the diskette name from DISKTRAK's database.
Simply use the Add/Update function described above to "refresh" the
DISKTRAK database with the diskette's current status.
To delete a diskette first select this option; DISKTRAK will present a menu
of all diskettes in the database. The select the diskette(s) you want to
delete and press Enter. DISKTRAK will ask you if you really want to
proceed. If yes, enter a "y" (without the quotes); any other character
will abort the Delete a Disk function with no action taken.
Note: To select diskette(s) to delete, use the arrow keys to position the
highlight bar over the name of the diskette you want to delete. Then press
the space bar. Doing this will highlight the name and move the highlight
bar down to the next name. Continue selecting/ moving until all desired
disks have been selected. If you make a mistake and select a diskette you
don't want to delete, move the highlight bar to the (now highlighted)
diskette name and press the space bar; this "un-selects" a selected name.
You can select and unselect as many times as necessary before pressing
Enter.
Peninsula Software - 28510 Blythewood Dr. - Palos Verdes, CA - 90274
Page 10
=== DISKTRAK ===
Version 6.10
UPDATE -- Delete File(s)
------------------------
This option allows you to physically delete one or more files from your
diskettes.
WARNING: THE SELECTED FILES WILL ACTUALLY BE DELETED FROM YOUR DISKETTES,
NOT SIMPLY REMOVED FROM THE DISKTRAK DATABASE.
This option was included to make it easy to "clean up" your diskettes; you
can easily delete unwanted and/or duplicate files using this option. (You
can also delete files you really want to keep if you are not careful!)
When this option is selected DISKTRAK first displays a message indicating
it is sorting all of the filenames in the database. It then displays a
window containing list of all the filenames in the DISKTRAK database sorted
alphabetically, along with the disk name containing each file. (The format
is the same as the ACTION -- Restore Files option described above.) The
list allows you to page through all the files in the database, and to
select individual or groups of files for deleting by pressing the space bar
after you have moved the highlight bar over the desired filename. (The
selection and de-selection process is the same as that described in the
above section.) Once you have selected all the files you want to delete,
press "Enter." DISKTRAK will ask you to confirm the fact that you want to
delete files. Pressing anything but "y" (or "Y") will return to the main
menu with no action. If you confirm that you want to proceed, DISKTRAK
will make an internal list of all the diskettes containing the selected
files, sort the list alphabetically, and ask you to successively mount each
diskette in the data drive. After verifying that the correct diskette is
mounted, DISKTRAK will delete the selected files on that disk. (By
sorting, DISKTRAK insures that each diskette will have to be mounted only
once.) After deleting the selected files from the diskette, DISKTRAK will
automatically update its database to reflect the deleted files, and then
ask you for the next diskette. This process continues until you have
mounted all needed diskettes, after which DISKTRAK returns to the main menu
with a message indicating how many files (in total) were deleted and how
many (if any) were not deleted.
Undeleted files can result from the file not actually being on the diskette
(it was deleted outside DISKTRAK after the diskette was added to the
DISKTRAK database), being in a (sub)directory other than the root (DISKTRAK
does not retain subdirectory data in its database), or the file was found
on a disk that was write protected, and consequently could not be deleted.
Note: this option can be used to simply view the sorted contents of the
DISKTRAK database, and not actually delete any files. For instance,
because it displays the entire DISKTRAK database sorted by filename, this
option is very convenient for determining if you have duplicate files on
your diskettes. You can then decide if you want to delete duplicate files,
or, when asked to confirm the delete request, simply return to the main
menu by replying "n" or hitting the Esc key.
Peninsula Software - 28510 Blythewood Dr. - Palos Verdes, CA - 90274
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=== DISKTRAK ===
Version 6.10
UPDATE -- Label Disk
--------------------
This option lets you label (or re-label) a diskette from within DISKTRAK,
thus eliminating the need to shell to DOS and use the DOS LABEL command.
When you select this option DISKTRAK will ask you to put a diskette in the
data disk drive. It will then attempt to read the internal label from the
disk. If there is no label DISKTRAK will so indicate and ask you to enter
one. If there already is a label on the disk, DISKTRAK displays a message
window showing the current label and asks you if you want to re-label the
disk. If so, enter the new label. When you have finished labeling disks
simply hit the Esc key to return to the main menu bar. DISKTRAK will
continue to ask for another disk to relabel until the Esc key is pressed;
this makes it convenient to label numerous disks in one session.
Note: DISKTRAK checks for a write protected disk prior to initiating the
label operation. DISKTRAK will return to the main menu and display an
error message if you attempt to label a write protected diskette. Also,
DISKTRAK checks the label name you enter for valid characters and will
reject a name that contains invalid characters. DISKTRAK displays an error
message in this case.
SEARCH -- Filename
------------------
This function is the primary reason DISKTRAK was written. It allows you to
enter a filename (or part thereof) and have DISKTRAK search its entire
database for all diskettes containing a file with that name (or partial
name). DISKTRAK will then display a window showing all such diskettes. To
see all of the files on any particular diskette, simply select it and
DISKTRAK will display its filenames, with the highlight bar positioned over
the first filename that matches your search criteria. Pressing the Enter
or Space key will either display the comment for that filename (if there is
one), or automatically move the highlight bar to the next filename that
matches the search criteria. If there is a comment to display, press the
Enter or Space key a second time to automatically find the next matching
filename. You can also page through the files on the selected diskette as
described in the View Data function.
Note that the search functions (Filename, Diskname, and Comment) employ
literal searches based on the exact set of characters you enter. The
special DOS wildcard characters * and ? are NOT recognized as wildcards,
and consequently should not be used in the search string.
SEARCH -- Diskname
------------------
This function works just like Search -- Filename except DISKTRAK searches
its database for the input diskette name (or part thereof). Use this
Peninsula Software - 28510 Blythewood Dr. - Palos Verdes, CA - 90274
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=== DISKTRAK ===
Version 6.10
function if you want to quickly browse the filenames of a series of
diskettes having similar internal labels.
SEARCH -- Comment
-----------------
This function works just like Search -- Filename except DISKTRAK searches
its database for a match between the input character string and a comment
associated with a filename. Use this function to find files whose comments
contain a particular character string. As with the Search -- Filename
option above, after returning to the main menu screen, DISKTRAK will
automatically select the next filename with a comment containing the
searched for character string each time you press the Enter or Space key.
You can see the comment itself by pressing Enter or Space a second time.
UTILITIES -- Compress Data
--------------------------
Selecting this option causes DISKTRAK to remove all of the unused space
from its database. To do this, DISKTRAK creates a new database for itself,
copies all of the current database information to it, deletes the old one,
and renames the new one to the same name as the old. When this operation
finishes there will be 0% free space in the DISKTRAK database.
Note: in order for this function to work there must be sufficient free
space on the disk with the default directory to accommodate a second file
equal in size to the current DISKTRAK database.
UTILITIES -- Expand Data
------------------------
Select this option if you have to add more disks to your database than it
was originally specified to hold. After choosing this option DISKTRAK will
ask you for the number of diskettes in the expanded database. You should
enter the new TOTAL number of diskettes desired, NOT the increase (delta)
over the current number. After entering this new total, DISKTRAK will
create a database capable of holding the specified number of disks, and
will then copy all of the data in your current database to the newly
expanded one. When this is complete, DISKTRAK will delete your current
database and rename the new one to your "old" current database name. The
new, expanded database will also be compressed, i. e., it will have 0% free
space.
Note: since there is no way to reduce the size of a DISKTRAK database you
should avoid specifying a total number of disks significantly larger than
you are likely to need. You can always expand your database later.
Peninsula Software - 28510 Blythewood Dr. - Palos Verdes, CA - 90274
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=== DISKTRAK ===
Version 6.10
UTILITIES -- Make a Database
----------------------------
Use this option to create your own DISKTRAK database(s). You can have up
to thirty DISKTRAK databases, but only one can be in use at a time.
Multiple databases may be desired, for instance, if there are several
people using your computer and each has his/her own set of diskettes. Or,
you may have so many diskettes that you want to logically segregate them
into groups.
To create a DISKTRAK database, select this option and specify the name of
the database and the number of diskettes you want it to hold. When
specifying the database name, enter only the 1 to 8 character primary
extension. (Because all DISKTRAK Databases must have a name of the form
<name>.DTK, DISKTRAK will automatically add the extension ".DTK" to the
name you enter.) After specifying the name, DISKTRAK will query you for
the maximum number of disks the database should hold. Enter a reasonable
number; you can always increase it later by use of the Expand function
described above.
The database created by this option will (obviously) be empty. Add
diskettes to it by first selecting the new database for use by using the
UTILITIES -- Switch Database function, and then invoking the UPDATE --
Add/Update Disk option.
UTILITIES -- Switch Databases
-----------------------------
This option allows you to select the database to use by presenting you with
a menu showing all files in the current (default) directory having a name
of the form <name>.DTK. All such files are assumed to be DISKTRAK
databases. Selecting the file you want to use makes it the current
DISKTRAK database. To make the current database the "default" for DISKTRAK
to use when it starts, you must use the CONFIGURATION -- Config. Save
function described below.
Note: if there is a file in the default directory with a name of the form
<name>.DTK that is not a DISKTRAK database, or that is a DISKTRAK database
created by a version of DISKTRAK prior to version 4.0, it will still be
shown in the list of files for selection as a DISKTRAK database. If you
select such a file for use by DISKTRAK, unpredictable (probably bad)
results will occur.
UTILITIES -- Sort Disknames
---------------------------
In general, DISKTRAK displays diskettes entered into its database in the
order in which they are entered. The UTILITIES -- Sort Disknames option
lets you change the order of the display to alphabetical. New diskettes
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=== DISKTRAK ===
Version 6.10
will continue to be added in the order entered, and will not be listed in
alphabetical order unless you re-sort the entire list of names using this
option.
UTILITIES -- Show Free Space
-----------------------------
This option lets you see the amount of free space on a diskette. After
selecting this option DISKTRAK will ask you to insert a diskette into the
Data Disk Drive. After doing so, press Enter and DISKTRAK will read the
label of the diskette, determine its total free space (in K bytes, where K
= 1024) and display a message containing this information. DISKTRAK will
then repeat this process until you press the Esc key to return to the main
menu.
CONFIGURATION -- Screen Colors
------------------------------
This option lets you set the colors for the various DISKTRAK menus. When
you select this option DISKTRAK displays a "sample" screen on the right
hand side of your display, with all colors set to their current values. A
menu on the left lets you pick the particular set of colors to change.
After selecting the set you wish to change, DISKTRAK will allow you to
pick the background and foreground colors; as you pick them, the "sample"
screen will be updated accordingly. To activate the setting you have
currently picked, select the Quit to Main Menu option in the Selections
menu. To retain the selected colors permanently, use the CONFIGURATION --
Config. Save option described below. (If you don't do this your newly
selected colors will be in effect only for your current DISKTRAK session.)
CONFIGURATION -- Background Char.
---------------------------------
This option lets you specify one of thirteen different characters for
DISKTRAK's main screen background. Selecting this option displays a menu
showing a string of each of the possible characters. Selecting the desired
character (by entering its corresponding menu selection character or using
the arrow/enter keys) will immediately change the background character to
the selected character. Instead of returning immediately to the main manu
command line, DISKTRAK will keep the character selection menu active, thus
making it easy to cycle through all of the possibilities. When you have
decided which background character you want, use the Esc key to return to
the main menu command line. Remember to use the Config. Save option to
permanently retain your selected background character, or your newly
selected character will only be used for your current DISKTRAK session.
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=== DISKTRAK ===
Version 6.10
CONFIGURATION -- Data Disk Drive
--------------------------------
This option allows you to specify the diskette drive DISKTRAK will use for
reading diskettes. The default diskette drive is A:, but you can change it
to any drive letter A: through P:. DISKTRAK will reject a drive "letter"
that is not a character in the range A -- P. You can enter either an upper
or lower case letter (no colon).
Although not recommended, you can use this option to "point" DISKTRAK at a
hard disk and then read all its filenames into the DISKTRAK database.
Doing this may be interesting, but is of little value since DISKTRAK does
not contain directory or subdirectory information in its database; it can
only tell you the filenames that are on the disk, not what directory they
are in.
CONFIGURATION -- ZIP Filenames
------------------------------
This option lets you specify whether or not DISKTRAK is to extract the
names of files stored inside an archive file of type ZIP, ARC, PAK, or LZH.
The default is NOT to do this. If you specify yes, DISKTRAK will add to
its database, in addition to the base ZIP, ARC, PAK, or LZH archive file,
all of the filenames contained inside it. Note that if you enable this
function and then add to the DISKTRAK database one or more disks containing
numerous archive files, the size of your database will get very large very
quickly.
When you select this option DISKTRAK will display a message indicating
whether this option is currently enabled or disabled and will ask if you
want to reverse this status. Enter a "y" if you do, or an "n" to retain
the current status. DISKTRAK will display the new status when it returns
to the main menu screen. Entering "Esc" will return you to the main menu
screen with no change in status. Note that the "ZIP" status is not saved
in the DISKTRAK.CFG file and is not retained by DISKTRAK when the program
ends; it is reset to "disabled" each time DISKTRAK starts.
CONFIGURATION -- Print Lines/Page
---------------------------------
This option lets you specify the number of lines DISKTRAK will place on its
output reports. These reports can be sent either directly to your printer
or to a disk file: see the ACTION -- Report options above. Because of the
title and page number lines DISKTRAK prints on each report page, the number
of lines per page must be at least 7. The Print Lines/Page option has no
effect on reports directed to the screen. You can retain the number you
specify in the DISKTRAK.CFG configuration file by selecting the
CONFIGURATION -- Config. Save option below.
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=== DISKTRAK ===
Version 6.10
CONFIGURATION -- Report Type
----------------------------
DISKTRAK can create three types of reports that summarize the information
in its database. Report type 1 lists all files in the database and the
diskette name each file is on, sorted alphabetically by filename. Report
type 2 contains the same information, but sorts it by diskette volume name.
Report type 3 list every filename and its comment (if present); this report
is sorted by filename. Report types 1 and 2 are formatted in 3 columns,
with 50 filename/diskname entries per column. Report type 3 lists one
filename per line, followed by a line containing its comment, if there is
one. Use the ACTION -- Report to Screen option to first see the reports,
then either print them or direct them to disk. For reports destined to be
printed, use the Print Line/Page option above to set the number of
printlines you want printed per page. You can retain this number by
selecting the CONFIGURATION -- Config. Save option below.
CONFIGURATION -- Config. Save
-----------------------------
This option creates (if it does not already exist) or updates (if it does
exist) a file in the current default directory called DISKTRAK.CFG and
writes into it all of the current DISKTRAK configuration parameters. These
parameters include the current color specifications, the DISKTRAK database
name, the main screen background character, the diskette drive to use when
reading diskettes, the number of lines per report page, and the desired
report type. If there is no DISKTRAK.CFG file, DISKTRAK uses default
values for the color settings and report parameters, assumes the database
name is SAMPLE.DTK, and uses diskette drive A:.
Future Enhancements
-------------------
Additional enhancements for DISKTRAK will be developed depending on the
degree of interest and support received by the current version of DISKTRAK.
Peninsula Software will seriously consider any enhancements suggested by
registered users. For example, the report option was added as a result of
a suggestion (and sample source code) from Joseph R. Nelis, Jr. (Thanks,
Jody!) and the comments option resulted from a suggestion by L. P.
Thomason.
Microsoft will be releasing a new version of the BASIC programming language
by mid 1991 that is capable of supporting Windows. With this new compiler,
the next significant change for DISKTRAK will be to re-write it as a native
Windows application. Consequently, no further enhancements to the current
DOS version, except for bug fixes, are planned. All new capabilities will
be added to the forthcoming Windows version.
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=== DISKTRAK ===
Version 6.10
The DISKTRAK Database
---------------------
DISKTRAK cannot operate without a database file. The distribution DISKTRAK
files contain a "sample" database called SAMPLE.DTK; this database contains
information from a small set of disks and includes comments containing
helpful information about DISKTRAK's use. When DISKTRAK starts, it first
checks to see if a configuration file exists. (See above section
CONFIGURATION -- Config. Save for more information on creating the
configuration file.) If there is a configuration file, DISKTRAK attempts
to open the database defined in it. If there is no configuration file,
DISKTRAK attempts to open a database called SAMPLE.DTK. If it is unable to
do this (file not found) it attempts to build an empty database called
EMPTY.DTK with space for 10 diskettes. If it is successful, DISKTRAK then
starts using this empty database. If unable to create the "empty"
EMPTY.DTK file (probably caused by the default disk being full) DISKTRAK
terminates, displaying a message that it was unable to create EMPTY.DTK.
The DISKTRAK database will contain the names of all the diskettes you have
entered, all of the file names on each diskette, and all of the comments
you enter. There are pointers in the database that connect a diskette to
its files, and files to their comments (if present). Finally, there are
counters holding the total number of diskettes in the database, the number
of "free" file names, and the number of "free" comment characters. "Free"
filenames result from files being deleted from diskettes, or from diskettes
being deleted from the database. "Free" comment bytes result from files
with comments being deleted from the database, or by creating new (edited)
comments that are longer than the original comment.
The latter two number are what determine the "free space" in the data-
base. Free space results from deleting a diskette from the database, or
from "refreshing" a diskette already existing in the database. In either
of these two cases, the filenames previously used are flagged as "free" and
are no longer usable. (Comments are maintained intact, however, if the
filename with the comment is still on the updated disk.) All updates
and/or additions to the database are made at the end of the database.
Consequently, as time goes on, unwanted "free space" will build up inside
the database. This "free space" is reported on the DISKTRAK main menu in
terms of a percentage of the size of the entire database. This "free
space" is literally unusable, wasted space and should be eliminated when it
becomes excessive.
The "Compress Data" sub-option under the Main Menu Utilities selection
will eliminate all "free space" from your database. See the section
describing that option for more detail.
Note that the DISKTRAK database does NOT contain any information about
directories or subdirectories. Consequently, DISKTRAK cannot perform any
functions dependent on the directory structure of a diskette.
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=== DISKTRAK ===
Version 6.10
Update Summary
--------------
Version 4.70
------------
Added path support for the DISKTRAK database and other active files thus
eliminating the requirement to return to the same directory from which
DISKTRAK was started after using the DOS Shell function.
Added the Restore function to the ACTION main menu selection.
Added the capability for DISKTRAK to automatically create an empty, 10 disk
database named EMPTY.DTK in the event it cannot find any valid database.
Added code to prevent invalid characters from being used in new or updated
diskette labels and database file names.
Version 4.80
------------
Corrected bug that sometimes prevented filenames from being found when
doing a search function. (Thanks to Bruce Banks for identifying this one.)
Version 4.90
------------
Corrected bug that caused message window border to display incorrectly when
using the Update -- Delete Files option and the DISKTRAK database name was
more than 7 characters long.
Corrected bug that caused corruption of % Free Space after deleting files
from disks using Update -- Delete Files option.
Enhanced comment editing capability by allowing edited comments to exceed
the length of the original comment.
Made several minor editorial changes to the documentation.
Version 5.00
------------
Added the ability to control the number of lines printed on each report
page, and changed the default number of print lines on reports from 61 to
60. (Thanks to Ronald C. Brazell, Jr. for these two suggestions.)
Added the ability to create reports sorted by either file name or disk
name. (Thanks to Kyle Rudden for suggesting these report options.) Also
added the Report type 3 option which produces a report showing all
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=== DISKTRAK ===
Version 6.10
filenames and their comments.
Eliminated the "beep" when paging through screen reports of more than 12
pages.
Added the report type and the number of lines per printed report page to
the configuration data displayed on main screen and saved in DISKTRAK.CFG.
Added a message displaying the current disk label when using the Label Disk
function to relabel a disk having an existing label. (Thanks to Mahlon
Huff for suggesting this one.)
Added the ability to sort disk names so they appear alphabetically in the
Disks window. (This capability was requested by several users.)
Added several information messages that appear in the Message window as
DISKTRAK is running.
Increased the size of the windows displaying disknames and filenames for
the Delete and Restore functions, and made the window highlight and
selection colors consistent with other selection windows.
Eliminated a program hang when attempting to label or delete files from a
write protected diskette by checking for write protect and issuing an error
message if encountering same.
Version 5.10
------------
Corrected a bug introduced in Version 5.00 that resulted in incorrect
display of Delete Files window when Report Type was specified as 2 or 3.
Version 6.00
------------
Redesigned most windows and menus to incorporate a "3-D shadow" effect.
Also changed many window sizes and shapes to include more information.
Added the capability to determine and display the total free space on any
diskette.
Enhanced the Search Filename option to automatically highlight the first
filename matching the search criteria when viewing search results.
DISKTRAK version 6.00 will also automatically highlight the next filename
matching the search criteria after each press of the Enter key. (Thanks to
Larry G. Crowell for suggesting this usability enhancement.)
Added more informational messages throughout the program.
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=== DISKTRAK ===
Version 6.10
Updated the System Requirements and Compatibility section of the
documentation to include a paragraph on program limitations, and added
other clarifying information throughout the documentation.
To defray the cost of higher postage rates, disks, mailers, and the cost of
new windowing and menu software (also Shareware), the program registration
fee was raised from $10 to $15.
Changed the routine used to accept user text input so it responds to Ctrl +
arrow key commands to move one word left or right and to no longer ignore
text to the right of the cursor when "Enter" is pressed.
Added a continuously running digital clock to the main menu command line.
Increased the number of filenames that can be extracted from archive files
from 255 to 500, and removed the limitation of a maximum of a 600 filenames
per diskette. (Thanks to Larry King for pointing out these program
limitations.)
Added the ability to ESCape back to the main menu when paging through a
multi-page screen report.
Enhanced the ZIP file function to include extracting file names stored in
PAK, ARC, and LZH archives in addition to ZIP archives. (Thanks to Tom
Hanlin III for writing the QuickBasic shareware library that provided this,
and several other, capabilities for inclusion in DISKTRAK.)
Added the Search -- Comment capability allowing database searches on
comments as well as filenames and disknames. Several users requested this
feature. As with the Search -- Filename function, DISKTRAK automatically
selects the filenames who's comments contain character strings matching the
search argument.
Added checks for sufficient free memory (RAM) to complete data sorting
operations. When insufficient memory is available to perform necessary
sort operations, DISKTRAK will now beep, return to the main menu, and
display an error message. Previous versions of DISKTRAK would terminate
with error messages like "Subscript out of range..." or "Insufficient
memory..." when running out of RAM memory.
Version 6.10
------------
Corrected mis-spelling of the identifier "Files" in the window listing disk
file names. ("Files" was spelled "Disks" in version 6.00. Dumb!!)
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